Many dog owners are choosing private home dog boarding for their pets as an alternative to kennel boarding. This puts their pets in an environment they're most used to and greatly reduces the exposure to contagious diseases. This article informs the pet owner on what to expect and look for, when choosing a private home for your pet boarding experience.

When answering an ad for home dog boarding you should set up an appointment for you and your dog to meet the home owner. You should also ask for at least three clients to call and get recommendations from. If they can't provide them don't consider that home. If they won't let you inspect their house with your dog, don't consider them. When you get to their house, if you and your dog are greeted at the door by several dogs and the home owner, don't consider them. It's a strong indication they are inexperienced and don't know how to care for multiple dogs in an open environment. There's more to pet sitting in an open environment than meets the eye.

If there is more than one dog in the home your dog should be introduced to each dog one at the time to give him a chance to acclimate himself and not get swarmed on by a group of dogs. When entering the home your dog should be on leash so you can control him and allow him to smell around and say hello to the home owner when he's ready. Remember he's a part of the decision making process. After the initial excitement and introductions, if everyone seems to be getting along the home owner should invite you to take your dogs leash off. If the home owner doesn't extend the off leash invitation, ask if you can take the leash off your dog. If the answer is no-leave. When you take the leash off, your dog will probably walk around and explore. There is a chance your dog will mark (pee) a little in one or two spots. Try not to get embarrassed, that's what dogs do. If the home owner gets overly upset-leave.

The home should be relatively clean, without small things lying around to choke on. If there are dog bones lying around, it's an indication the home owner is inexperienced or not diligent, bones cause fights-leave. Ask where your dog will be allowed free access to. If it's not in some of the most used areas of the house-leave. If there is a fenced in yard for your dog, make sure there are no holes in the fence. Make sure gates have latches that work. If it's not clear that security is of the utmost importance to the home owner-leave.

Ask if they allow pets on furniture if it's important to you, ask where your dog will sleep and eat, this is important to your pet. Some dogs can't eat in the company of other dogs, or out of a metal bowl if they're used to a plastic bowl, or sleep alone if they're used to sleeping with you, or going to the bathroom off leash if they're used to going on leash and on and on. You, the pet owner should ask as much as you can and present the home owner with as much information as you can. The home owner should have the expertise to ask the pertinent questions about your pets' life style, behavior and habits so he can provide properly for him. If no questions are asked by the home owner-leave.

If the home owner doesn't ask for an emergency contact person, proof of state required shots and your vets name and number, you should look elsewhere. If you're not asked to provide your pets food, you should not consider that place. Many dogs get sick when their diet gets abruptly changed. If you don't see a water bowl around, ask where it is. Dehydration is a dog killer. Don't leave your dog in a home that takes unneutered or aggressive dogs. Make sure small and timid dogs can be separated from large playful dogs. Dogs can get hurt by accident even under a watchful eye. If your dog takes meds, ask if they can be given by the method you use. Ask if there is a vet in the area that would recommend them. If not-leave.

If there is not someone at home to oversee the dogs when there is more than one boarded together you should not leave your dog in that home. These are just some of the things to consider when choosing a private home to board your dog in.

Steven Linn

[http://OurHome-DogBoarding.com] is the web address for our network of home owners that welcome dogs into their homes on temporary bases. I've been boarding dogs in my home for several years and have accumulated an expertise in this enterprise. After several years the requests for dog boarding was far greater then I could accommodate. I then set about forming a network of dog lovers that would take the overflow and provide care, company and security for them in their homes. We Match Your Dogs Age, Personality And Temperament With The Perfect Host. Young playful dogs with younger hosts with energetic pets and fenced in yards, small apartment dogs with retirees etc.

The process starts with an interview about your dog and what you'd like for him and culminates with a meeting between you, your dog and the host family and their pet if they have one. This assures a good match for your pet and lays the ground work for a dialogue between you and the host while you're away. That host is assigned to you for future use as long as they're available. Since we are a network of dog lovers there will always be a back up home available for your pet's specific needs.